impact 2020-2021
See The Numbers“We are the world’s neighbors, making our communities brighter, greater, fighting for every person in every neighborhood. We, the coming of the common good. So dare to care, to be hope-sided. We’re never divided, for when we live to give, we always live united” -”Live United”
– Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate
It’s true – when we dare to care, we fill ourselves and our neighbors with hope. United Way of Greater Chattanooga envisions a community where all individuals reach their full human potential through access to pathways of success and stability. The crises of the recent past have only emphasized the great importance of this work. But they did not slow us down – we showed up for one another. And we want you to see what that looks like. We want you to understand how United Way of Greater Chattanooga connects resources to solutions in order to empower and build a stronger, resilient community.
– Lesley Scearce, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Chattanooga
Mission and Vision
A Stronger, Healthier Community
We envision a community where all people achieve their full human potential through education, stability, and health & well-being. By uniting people and resources, we are actively closing the gap between our vision and reality.
If Our City Could Talk
If our city could talk, what would it say?
” I am determined. I am resilient. I do not back down. “
If our city could talk, it would say ” United, we are better. Together.”
Crisis Response
When 2020 presented different crises, from the COVID-19 pandemic, to the April 2020 tornadoes, to the everyday needs working households experience, we worked hard to unite resources and help those in need. Since then, we have remained at the forefront, continuing to help make an impact in our community. We are uniquely suited to this kind of role – harnessing the caring power of community is what we strive to do daily. Together, we can reimagine and rebuild a stronger, more resilient Greater Chattanooga.
Calls answered through 211
Dollars raised through Restore Hope Fund
Dollars distributed through TN Cares
Dollars raised for Neediest Cases
* All data and metrics are from FY 2021: July 1st 2020 – June 30th 2021. *

Strategy & Approach
Through the caring power of tens of thousands of individuals, we invest in innovative solutions, convene the right partnerships and mobilize the best resources to fight our most dire social problems. Together, we drive measurable, lasting impact for our community.
Transformation Response
We invest in transformational community impact through our data-driven Community Investment (CI) grantmaking model. Grant selections are made by a team of community volunteers, ensuring our community is heard and involved. Partner nonprofits selected to receive funding are awarded different kinds of grants based on the program or initiative described in the application – Impact, Innovation, Capacity or Traditional Grants. Awards support organizations doing impactful work to solve community problems across three focus areas: Education, Stability and Health and Well-being.
34 agencies received Community Investment grants, funding over 60 programs.
Success Stories
Our funded partners are on the front lines every day making sure help is provided to the people who need it most. The impact they make on our community would not be possible without you. These funded partners capture great stories, and they deserve to be shared. These stories are told through the lens of our impact areas, to give better insight into how our partners fuel our mission and vision.
Swipe through these stories to learn more about our unique partnerships.
iGAVE Model
Do you ever wonder how to get invovled with United Way? It starts with engagement. And results in impact. iGAVE, a model and acronym we developed and use to model the path of engagement for people in our community, can be broken down like this: true engagement (E) involves volunteerism (V), advocacy (A) and generosity (G), and these things lead to impact (I). This model encourages everyone to become more active in our local community year-round.
Where Your Dollar Goes
- Admin. Costs = $959,104 9.28%
- Community Engagement and Mobilization = $1,501,309 14.53%
- Community Programming and Direct Assistance = $3,106,219 30.1%
- Grants to the Community = $4,765,451 46.1%
Million in Total Expenses
* The above financial figures are unaudited.*
Resources
With a variety of different revenue streams, we make sure that each dollar counts and is put towards making direct impact in our community. Your donations, along with other financial support, enables us to create and invest in innovative solutions. Take a look at at our campaign, endowment and investment draws, and earned and other income totals.
Your Title Goes Here
Campaign, Undesignated
$4,849,079.00
These funds are raised and used to support: any community grant, United Way of Greater Chattanooga programs that serve the community, and other fundraising efforts.
Campaign, Designated/Restricted
$4,094,007.00
These funds are raised and directed towards specific agencies and programs by donors.
Endowment & Investment Draws
$1,205,000.00
This is an annual draw of dollars from Endowment and Investment earnings to support administrative overhead, fundraising, and 211 operations.
Earned & Other Income
$183,997.00
Revenue earned from administering special programs in the community and other support services for the nonprofit community.
* The above financial figures are unaudited.*
Members in Engagement Groups
Giving Circle Donors (Alexis de Tocqueville + Leadership)
Total Donors
Volunteerism & Engagement
Volunteerism and engagement are at the root of all the work we do at United Way of Greater Chattanooga and comes in all shapes and sizes. With thousands of volunteer opportunities happening every year, we mobilize the members of our community to find opportunities that fit their needs.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FULFILLED THROUGH IHELP
DAY OF CARING VOLUNTEERS
Members in Giving and Engagement Groups
Individuals registered to volunteer through iHelp
Venture Forward
As a part of United Way of Greater Chattanooga, we empower and strengthen impact in the social sector through community building, professional development, advocacy, and innovation.
Venture Forward’s purpose is to inspire and spark innovative solutions and positive momentum for nonprofits and the community across the greater Chattanooga region.
653 Community Residents
Participating in convenings (forums, meetings, summits, community conversations) hosted by Venture Forward
165 Nonprofit Professionals
Engaged through Venture Forward circles
1,109 Nonprofit Professionals
Engaged through Venture Forward trainings
* All data and metrics are from FY 2021: July 1st 2020 – June 30th 2021. *
A Word From Our Campaign Chair
United Way of Greater Chattanooga is in the business of empowering impact. Yes, we raise money to fund solutions and connect resources to areas of need. But the overarching goal is to engage community members year-round in volunteerism, advocacy and generosity. When we live united, we build a stronger, more resilient community.
More Ways to Get Involved
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